Refugees and the labour market: looking for cost-effective models of assistance

While Commonwealth-funded settlement services for refugees stop short of employment assistance, mainstream employment programs are generally not equipped to address the particular and complex needs of refugees.

The Given the Chance pilot program offers refugees a flexible case-managed combination of job skills training, mentoring, work experience and personal support.

Drawing on interviews with service providers the researchers argue that targeted labour market programs combining individualised and group delivery can be a cost-effective approach to assisting refugees to enter the workforce.

Published by the Ecumenical Migration Centre of the Brotherhood of St. Laurence.